Progress MN: Lea Hargett

Education: University of Chicago (Business Management); University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management (Human Resource Executive Program); University of St. Thomas (Executive mini-MBA)

Key turning point in career: Getting to know Thor and its leadership over many years, and then taking this opportunity when it was offered

What’s next: Building on what has been a successful first year for Thor Consulting

Lea Hargett spent several years observing Thor Construction as it and a manufacturing company she owned often worked on the same projects for the same clients. Little did she know that Thor was watching her, too.

“We appreciated each other’s mindsets as well as each other’s skill sets,” said Hargett.

The company last year asked Hargett to help run its newly launched consulting division. The group offers clients such services as community engagement, workforce and supply chain diversity management programming, strategic long-range business development and real estate management services.

“This company has a long, celebrated history,” Hargett said. “The work it’s done and the partnerships it’s cultivated have led to this point, where now we can approach our clients and talk about long-range strategy rather than just building.”

The consulting division has been a success so far, drawing on what Hargett describes as a methodical yet intuitive approach to client care, and to drawing the best and brightest from the diverse local workforce.

To stay ahead, Hargett’s team has established an internal value proposition that encourages Thor Consulting to go well beyond what’s required when it comes to compliance and workforce diversity. Satisfying the company’s rigorous internal goals means that meeting external goals in a tough marketplace is a little easier.

“We don’t have a standardized approach to everything,” Hargett said. “This is a competitive environment, and this is an aggressive company. We won’t be outworked.”